DavidMn
06-30-2008, 12:57 PM
Sorry this took so long to post but I had to take a couple days to rest after driving back to Minneapolis after the Cincinnati show. I had an incredibly memorable time on the road and consider myself extremely lucky to continue to be able to enjoy this living breathing piece of music history. Anyway, here it is:
Chicago, 6-14-2008
I took off around 10 AM for Chicago and everything was very uneventful until I got close to Wisconsin Dells where I had to leave Interstate 94 and take these back roads all the way to Madison where I was able to rejoin the freeway. Thank god I left earlier than I originally planned because a 2 lane road is obviously not equipped to handle freeway traffic, so I didnt get back on the freeway until almost 5:30/ TO make a long story short, I arrived at the venue at abour 8:15, and missed a few Shawn Colvin songs, but I still got to see some of her set, which was cool. The venue Stevie played at here, the Charter One Pavilion is prettty much right next to Soldier Field(where the Chicago Bears football team plays) so it was right on Lake Michigan and my seats were in the risers so I had a breathtaking view of the Chicago skyline. Stevie came on at around 8:45 or so and put on a great show. Highlights for me this night were Landslide and Rock And Roll. Not sure why, but they just stick out. I saw Alicia(Haunted Song) and a few others from here that I recognized from here, which made it all the better.
Detroit, 6-15-2008
After the Chicago show I drove to a town called Benton Harbor to stay for the night, and I got up and made my way to my hotel in Auburn Hills, which is about 10 miles from the DTE Music Theater where Stevie played that night. This place is one of my favorite outdoor venues, nestled right in the middle of a ski resort, much like the outdoor venue in Scranton Pannsylvania. Anyhoo, Boston and Stevie basically played a c0-headlining set this night, each playing about 90 minutes or so. I had seats in the back of the pavilion for this show, and just kinda chilled out. I dont rellay remember anything standing out for Stevie this night, except that there was a stage jumper that got up during Stevie's landslide speech and tried to hand her something. Needless to say security was on her in an instant hauling the lady out of the venue. Stevie was not happy either, saying something to the effect of "I dont really appreciate you interrupting that speech because its about my dad and it means alot to me. NOT COOL!"
After the Detroit show I spent 3 days in Cincinnati indulging my other great passion, baseball by seeing 3 games between the Cincinnati Reds and the L.A Dodgers. Now it's onto Atlantic City.
Atlantic City, 6-20-2008
I was really looking forward to this show because there are alot of really close Mac friends of mine that were going to be there for these 2 shows at the Borgata. I met up with all of them, Ashley, Alex, Mike, and others as well. I was a little apprehensive since I'd never been to Atlantic City and would have to drive through Philadelphia to get there. Well it was no problem, I navigated Philly with no issues, got to my motel near Camden Jersey, and made my way down the AC expressway towards Borgata, arriving at about 4pm. I ran into Ashley outside the Gypsy bar at about 5:3 and we remsnisced about the old times, which was alot of fun. SO we get into the venue and Ashley, Alex and Mike are all up in the front row. I had riser seats which was ok by me, but as time went on and I stayed up front standing with my posse, I noticed that there were 4 seats dead center front row that stayed open. I asked the guys if they minded if I stayed up there and they said they didnt care, so I giugred I'm not moving until someone tells me to. Well, those seats belonged to comped high rollers who never showed up, so I was dead center front row all night! Talk about a lucky break! Of course I got to do the edge walk(for the 4th time in my Stevie career) and when she came to me I took both her hands and said "Thank you, this means the world to me!" she said thank you back and even gave me a little wink. I almost **** my pants right there on the spot! I never knew I could get so excited by anything a woman ever did in my presence. so that night ended on a very high note and Ashley, Mike and I along with several others went over to the lobby of the Borgata hotel where I had to meet Wassy and get my picture taken with him. What a salty tongued devil he is, but a great guy, very friendly with all the fans.
Atlantic City, 6-21-2008
I came back down to AC from my motel at around 1pm and enjoyed AC proper for a few hours, walking the boardwalk and checking out a few of the casinos, which was alot of fun for me since I'd never seen any of that stuff before. I made my way over to the Borgata at around 4:30 having dinner and meeting up with the guys outside the venue at about 5:30. there were alot more people there on Saturday night so no sneaking up front but that was ok. I enjoyed the show from my riser seats, and after it was over whic I was saying my goodbyes to all of my friends there a guy came up to our group and asked if anyone was going to the Boston show the next night. I said I was and he asked if I wanted his ticket because he said he couldnt go. He didnt want any money for it, so I told him I'd take it and give it to someone else. Hey man if youre out there and you read this, thank you!
Boston, 6-22-2008
I left my motel on Sunday morning at around 8am and made my way up towrads Boston, Via I-287 and I-84 which ended up being a great plan, because there was hardly any traffic. I got to my motel near Boston at around 3:30, and called Sue(Suzequze) from here and asked if she wanted to go to the show with me since this guy had given my a ticket and I already had mine. She took me up on the offer and picked me up in her hot little Miata convertible, and on into Boston we rode, top down. We had dinner together at the Sail Loft resturant which is right on Botson harbor and got to the Venue at around 7:15. The Bank Of America Pavilion is situated right outside of downtown Boston on the harbor, what an amazing venue this was! Sue and I people watched thru the Mandy Moore snoozefest, and made our was to our seats. We werent sitting together but that was cool. The show was great as usual, but I have to give props here to the Boston fan base. You guys were louder and asng along to more songs than any show I went to! Sue and I drove back to my motel and we said our goodbyes. She is such a sweetheart. I discovered we are alot alike in our personalities which made it all the more fun. Thanks my friend for showing me a great time!
After the Boston show, I spent 2 days in Boston walking the Freesom Trail and went to 2 Red Sox games which were a total blast!
Toledo, 6-25-2008
This show is fast becoming legend in the Stevie sommunity if for no other reason than the circumstances surrounding it were to say the least uneventful! First though, after the Red Sox game on Tuesday the 24th I got back to my motel in Braintree where my car was and made my way towards Cleveland where my friend Debbie was that went to the Toledo show with me. I drove thru the night arriving at about 11:30 am in time to get like 4 hours of sleep before we headed out on our Toledo adventure. We got to Toledo and the Venue at 6:30 and the skies were ominous to say the least! it started thunderstorming at about 7:30 and they Cancelled Mandy Moore almost right away( I know I was depressed as hell) but the rain just kept coming.... and coming..... and coming!!!!! It finally let up enough that they let us into the venue at around 8:30. My friend debbie had 2 front row seats so we were right dead center perfect! but then there was this little problem...... THE F*&^ING RAIN THAT WOULD NOT LET UP!!! Debbie and both got completely soaked thru to the bone. this wasnt just a thunderstorm, it was an out and out downpour. They covered up the stage equipment as best they could but the rain still was blowing sideways onto the stage. I really started to get nervous at about 9:30 thinking that the show would be cancelled for sure, but it finally let up enough for Stevie to come on at around 9:55. it was still raining hard thru Standback and Outside The Rain/Dreams, and in a moment I'll never forget, one of the minions handed Stevie a huge umbrella and she sang and held it all the way thru OTR/Dreams. I mean there were so many funny memorable moments during these 2 songs which Stevie held the umbrella! one that really stands out to me is during the Dreams chorus, Stevie twirled the umbrella and almost broke into a Gene Kelly Singin In The Rain Routine! The rain finally stopped during If Anyone Falls and it cleared out nicely! During the Edge Walk when Stevie came to me I said "Thank you for coming out and playing for us tonight! We love you!" She nodded in appreciation and that really meant alot to me. Who knew Toledo Ohio would end up being one of the most memorable concert experiences I've ever had in my life?! One more show to go.
Cincinnati, 6-26-2008
After the Toledo show ended Debbie and I drove back to her place in Cleveland and I slept until like noon the next day, which I desperately needed. Before I left for Cincinnati she and I went to an awesome Gyro place near her house(Its tradition) and enjoyed each other's company for a while before I was off to Cinci for one more show. I made it to the Venue, National City Pavilion at around 6:30 and met up with another friend of mine Torri and we visited until Stevie came on at around 9. I went up to my riser seats and just chilled out because I had to drive all the way back to Minneapolis after the show. The show I thought was very memorable in that as it ended I wasnt sure I would see her live again. Torri and I said our goodbyes after the show and I drove back to Minneapolis with another Stevie experience ended and a lifetimes worth of memories. Thank you Miss Nicks once again for enriching my life more than you could ever know!
Chicago, 6-14-2008
I took off around 10 AM for Chicago and everything was very uneventful until I got close to Wisconsin Dells where I had to leave Interstate 94 and take these back roads all the way to Madison where I was able to rejoin the freeway. Thank god I left earlier than I originally planned because a 2 lane road is obviously not equipped to handle freeway traffic, so I didnt get back on the freeway until almost 5:30/ TO make a long story short, I arrived at the venue at abour 8:15, and missed a few Shawn Colvin songs, but I still got to see some of her set, which was cool. The venue Stevie played at here, the Charter One Pavilion is prettty much right next to Soldier Field(where the Chicago Bears football team plays) so it was right on Lake Michigan and my seats were in the risers so I had a breathtaking view of the Chicago skyline. Stevie came on at around 8:45 or so and put on a great show. Highlights for me this night were Landslide and Rock And Roll. Not sure why, but they just stick out. I saw Alicia(Haunted Song) and a few others from here that I recognized from here, which made it all the better.
Detroit, 6-15-2008
After the Chicago show I drove to a town called Benton Harbor to stay for the night, and I got up and made my way to my hotel in Auburn Hills, which is about 10 miles from the DTE Music Theater where Stevie played that night. This place is one of my favorite outdoor venues, nestled right in the middle of a ski resort, much like the outdoor venue in Scranton Pannsylvania. Anyhoo, Boston and Stevie basically played a c0-headlining set this night, each playing about 90 minutes or so. I had seats in the back of the pavilion for this show, and just kinda chilled out. I dont rellay remember anything standing out for Stevie this night, except that there was a stage jumper that got up during Stevie's landslide speech and tried to hand her something. Needless to say security was on her in an instant hauling the lady out of the venue. Stevie was not happy either, saying something to the effect of "I dont really appreciate you interrupting that speech because its about my dad and it means alot to me. NOT COOL!"
After the Detroit show I spent 3 days in Cincinnati indulging my other great passion, baseball by seeing 3 games between the Cincinnati Reds and the L.A Dodgers. Now it's onto Atlantic City.
Atlantic City, 6-20-2008
I was really looking forward to this show because there are alot of really close Mac friends of mine that were going to be there for these 2 shows at the Borgata. I met up with all of them, Ashley, Alex, Mike, and others as well. I was a little apprehensive since I'd never been to Atlantic City and would have to drive through Philadelphia to get there. Well it was no problem, I navigated Philly with no issues, got to my motel near Camden Jersey, and made my way down the AC expressway towards Borgata, arriving at about 4pm. I ran into Ashley outside the Gypsy bar at about 5:3 and we remsnisced about the old times, which was alot of fun. SO we get into the venue and Ashley, Alex and Mike are all up in the front row. I had riser seats which was ok by me, but as time went on and I stayed up front standing with my posse, I noticed that there were 4 seats dead center front row that stayed open. I asked the guys if they minded if I stayed up there and they said they didnt care, so I giugred I'm not moving until someone tells me to. Well, those seats belonged to comped high rollers who never showed up, so I was dead center front row all night! Talk about a lucky break! Of course I got to do the edge walk(for the 4th time in my Stevie career) and when she came to me I took both her hands and said "Thank you, this means the world to me!" she said thank you back and even gave me a little wink. I almost **** my pants right there on the spot! I never knew I could get so excited by anything a woman ever did in my presence. so that night ended on a very high note and Ashley, Mike and I along with several others went over to the lobby of the Borgata hotel where I had to meet Wassy and get my picture taken with him. What a salty tongued devil he is, but a great guy, very friendly with all the fans.
Atlantic City, 6-21-2008
I came back down to AC from my motel at around 1pm and enjoyed AC proper for a few hours, walking the boardwalk and checking out a few of the casinos, which was alot of fun for me since I'd never seen any of that stuff before. I made my way over to the Borgata at around 4:30 having dinner and meeting up with the guys outside the venue at about 5:30. there were alot more people there on Saturday night so no sneaking up front but that was ok. I enjoyed the show from my riser seats, and after it was over whic I was saying my goodbyes to all of my friends there a guy came up to our group and asked if anyone was going to the Boston show the next night. I said I was and he asked if I wanted his ticket because he said he couldnt go. He didnt want any money for it, so I told him I'd take it and give it to someone else. Hey man if youre out there and you read this, thank you!
Boston, 6-22-2008
I left my motel on Sunday morning at around 8am and made my way up towrads Boston, Via I-287 and I-84 which ended up being a great plan, because there was hardly any traffic. I got to my motel near Boston at around 3:30, and called Sue(Suzequze) from here and asked if she wanted to go to the show with me since this guy had given my a ticket and I already had mine. She took me up on the offer and picked me up in her hot little Miata convertible, and on into Boston we rode, top down. We had dinner together at the Sail Loft resturant which is right on Botson harbor and got to the Venue at around 7:15. The Bank Of America Pavilion is situated right outside of downtown Boston on the harbor, what an amazing venue this was! Sue and I people watched thru the Mandy Moore snoozefest, and made our was to our seats. We werent sitting together but that was cool. The show was great as usual, but I have to give props here to the Boston fan base. You guys were louder and asng along to more songs than any show I went to! Sue and I drove back to my motel and we said our goodbyes. She is such a sweetheart. I discovered we are alot alike in our personalities which made it all the more fun. Thanks my friend for showing me a great time!
After the Boston show, I spent 2 days in Boston walking the Freesom Trail and went to 2 Red Sox games which were a total blast!
Toledo, 6-25-2008
This show is fast becoming legend in the Stevie sommunity if for no other reason than the circumstances surrounding it were to say the least uneventful! First though, after the Red Sox game on Tuesday the 24th I got back to my motel in Braintree where my car was and made my way towards Cleveland where my friend Debbie was that went to the Toledo show with me. I drove thru the night arriving at about 11:30 am in time to get like 4 hours of sleep before we headed out on our Toledo adventure. We got to Toledo and the Venue at 6:30 and the skies were ominous to say the least! it started thunderstorming at about 7:30 and they Cancelled Mandy Moore almost right away( I know I was depressed as hell) but the rain just kept coming.... and coming..... and coming!!!!! It finally let up enough that they let us into the venue at around 8:30. My friend debbie had 2 front row seats so we were right dead center perfect! but then there was this little problem...... THE F*&^ING RAIN THAT WOULD NOT LET UP!!! Debbie and both got completely soaked thru to the bone. this wasnt just a thunderstorm, it was an out and out downpour. They covered up the stage equipment as best they could but the rain still was blowing sideways onto the stage. I really started to get nervous at about 9:30 thinking that the show would be cancelled for sure, but it finally let up enough for Stevie to come on at around 9:55. it was still raining hard thru Standback and Outside The Rain/Dreams, and in a moment I'll never forget, one of the minions handed Stevie a huge umbrella and she sang and held it all the way thru OTR/Dreams. I mean there were so many funny memorable moments during these 2 songs which Stevie held the umbrella! one that really stands out to me is during the Dreams chorus, Stevie twirled the umbrella and almost broke into a Gene Kelly Singin In The Rain Routine! The rain finally stopped during If Anyone Falls and it cleared out nicely! During the Edge Walk when Stevie came to me I said "Thank you for coming out and playing for us tonight! We love you!" She nodded in appreciation and that really meant alot to me. Who knew Toledo Ohio would end up being one of the most memorable concert experiences I've ever had in my life?! One more show to go.
Cincinnati, 6-26-2008
After the Toledo show ended Debbie and I drove back to her place in Cleveland and I slept until like noon the next day, which I desperately needed. Before I left for Cincinnati she and I went to an awesome Gyro place near her house(Its tradition) and enjoyed each other's company for a while before I was off to Cinci for one more show. I made it to the Venue, National City Pavilion at around 6:30 and met up with another friend of mine Torri and we visited until Stevie came on at around 9. I went up to my riser seats and just chilled out because I had to drive all the way back to Minneapolis after the show. The show I thought was very memorable in that as it ended I wasnt sure I would see her live again. Torri and I said our goodbyes after the show and I drove back to Minneapolis with another Stevie experience ended and a lifetimes worth of memories. Thank you Miss Nicks once again for enriching my life more than you could ever know!